March on this day: What happened on March 18 and why this date matters for New Zealand and the world

When flicking through the pages of history, some dates stand out more than others. March 18 is one of them. It's not just another day on the calendar; it's a date that has witnessed events that reshaped entire nations. Whether you're after a quick guide to understand why this day carries so much weight, or you're simply keen for a refresher on some of the most impactful moments in history, you've come to the right place. Let's take a look back at what went down on this day.

1938: A bold move that redefined a nation

If there's one event that's forever etched in the memory when looking at March 18, it's the Mexican Oil Expropriation. On this day in 1938, President Lázaro Cárdenas went on national radio to announce the nationalisation of the country's oil industry. Back then, foreign companies were extracting Mexico's crude as if it were their own, ignoring rulings from Mexican courts. Cárdenas, showing a resolve that feels almost old-fashioned today, signed the decree to legally expropriate their assets. This marked the birth of Petróleos Mexicanos (PEMEX). For many, it was the moment Mexico truly asserted its place among independent nations. Every March 18, it's a reminder that sovereignty isn't something you ask for – it's something you exercise.

The world in motion: Other key moments on March 18

But history doesn't stop at the border. If we zoom out, March 18 is a date marked in significance for other countries too. In 1871, for instance, Parisians rose up to establish the Paris Commune – that groundbreaking, albeit short-lived, revolutionary government that planted the seeds for 20th-century social movements. And speaking of milestones, in 1965, Soviet cosmonaut Alexei Leonov became the first human to float in open space. Picture it: tethered to his spacecraft by a thin cable, gazing at Earth from the void. It was a giant leap that might seem routine now, but back then it was pure, breathtaking adventure.

European politics also has its chapter on March 18. According to well-documented accounts, in 1990, East Germany held its first free elections – a decisive step towards reunification. And if we rewind further, in 1921, the Peace of Riga was signed, ending the war between Poland and Soviet Russia and redrawing the map of Eastern Europe.

Farewells and arrivals

This date also marks goodbyes. On March 18, 1584, Ivan the Terrible, the first Tsar of Russia – as brutal as he was pivotal in his country's history – passed away. In the world of science, 1893 saw the death of a true visionary: Alexander Graham Bell, the man who gave us the telephone. While the phone today might be almost unrecognisable from his invention, there's no denying the seismic shift it created in human communication.

On the flip side, it's also a birthday for some brilliant minds. Grover Cleveland, the only US president to serve two non-consecutive terms, was born on March 18, 1837. And in 1922, British authorities jailed Mahatma Gandhi for sedition, not realising they were fuelling the legend of the man who would free India without firing a single shot.

A quick rundown of other March 18 events

For those who love a good piece of trivia, or anyone needing a speedy historical recap, here's a list of other events that happened on this day – well worth remembering:

• 1962: France and the Algerian National Liberation Front sign the Evian Accords, paving the way for the end of the Algerian War of Independence.
• 1937: A horrific school tragedy in New London, Texas, rocks the United States: a gas explosion at a school kills more than 300 people, most of them children.
• 1745: Robert Walpole, widely regarded as Britain's first prime minister, dies, leaving behind a lasting political legacy.
• 1922: The US Supreme Court upholds the 19th Amendment, guaranteeing women's right to vote – a landmark victory in the fight for equality.

As you can see, using history as our guide lets us travel through time and connect different eras and cultures. March 18 isn't just about the Mexican Oil Expropriation; it's a reminder that humanity moves forward through acts of sovereignty, rebellion, exploration, and peace agreements. So next time someone asks you what's so special about this day, you've got the full story to share – like a true expert who's been following history for years.